Hollywood trailblazer Anna May Wong to be first Asian American featured on U.S. currency
Anna May Wong will be the first Asian American woman to appear on U.S. currency
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Anna May Wong will be the first Asian American woman to appear on U.S. currency, the Associated Press reported, citing an announcement that Gov. Chris Christie announced Friday. In the past, presidents and ambassadors have been on the currency, including President John F. Kennedy, President Bill Clinton and his wife, former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. The currency is meant to be a symbol of patriotism, unity, and freedom, according to the AP.
“A lot of people think that the dollar is just to give the government more power to, of course, regulate people and their businesses,” Christie said. “Actually, people need to know that the people of America can be trusted to make decisions that will make our country strong and prosperous. And, in fact, people have decided to support this idea of being able to make their own decisions and having a say in how they are run.”
Christie said that Wong’s appointment is a step in the right direction and will inspire confidence in the U.S. currency. Wong has also been a longtime advocate for immigrant rights and affordable housing, and has worked as a longtime advocate for Asian Americans.
Wong, who was born in Los Angeles, will join a long line of Asian Americans who have been featured on U.S. currency, including Thomas McGeorge, who first appeared in the U.S. as a boy on currency worth around one dollar in 1796. Another first-in-the-nation Asian American, Wong’s grandfather, was so impressed by the first appearance on U.S. currency that he gave two dollars to Wong’s father when he went